Your doctor or dietitian can help you find new foods that will improve your symptoms.
Examples of low-fat food options include cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, egg whites, lean meats such as chicken or turkey breast, and fresh fruit. Avoid foods that are high in fat like red meat and cheese.
Insoluble fiber is found in whole wheat or bran products, green beans, potatoes, cauliflower, and nuts. Examples of foods that don’t have insoluble fiber include tofu, meat, dairy, white bread, and white rice. Because a low-fiber diet can cause constipation, and because fiber is an important part of a healthy diet, talk to your doctor before you cut out all foods with fiber in them.
White bread Soup Watermelon Peaches Pears Fruit juices Potatoes Apples without skin Mushrooms Lettuce Yogurt
You can also purchase pureed fruit and vegetables for an option that’s easier to digest.
Be mindful of the fat content of nutrient-dense liquids so you don’t make your symptoms worse. Drink clear soups, broths, or sports drinks for their nutrients as well as their electrolytes.
Allow the tea to cool down a little before you drink it. If you don’t have fresh ginger, use dried.
Taking the time to count your chews can force you to chew your food enough.
Focus on small, but nutritionally dense meals that don’t include lots of fat or fiber. For example, Greek yogurt with some fresh berries could be a great small meal.
Don’t overexert yourself or do intense exercise after you eat or you could make your symptoms worse.
Your doctor may conduct a variety of tests to determine if you have gastroparesis. One common test is the gastric emptying study, in which you consume food mixed with a small amount of radioactive tracer material, which can then be traced through your digestive tract. Your doctor may also perform an endoscopy, in which a tiny camera is passed into your stomach and small intestines through your throat to look for signs of gastroparesis or other conditions, such as peptic ulcers. Ultrasounds and stomach X-rays can also be useful tools for diagnosing gastroparesis.
For example, if you have severe nausea and vomiting, they can prescribe anti-nausea medications, such as prochlorperazine (Compro) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Other medications, such as metoclopramide (Reglan) or erythromycin, can help stimulate the movement of your stomach muscles. Talk to your doctor about the potential risks and side effects of these medications. For extremely severe cases of gastroparesis that prevent you from eating or drinking altogether, your doctor may recommend implanting a feeding tube or using a gastric venting tube to help reduce pressure in your stomach.
Your doctor may recommend changing your insulin schedule in order to manage your blood glucose levels better. For example, they might recommend taking insulin more often or giving yourself injections after meals instead of before. [20] X Trustworthy Source American Diabetes Association Health-based nonprofit focused on preventing and researching diabetes Go to source You may also benefit from additional medications to help you manage your gastroparesis.
Bloating Cramps Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Unexplained weight loss Symptoms of intestinal bleeding, such as bloody, red, or black stools[22] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
